Radiation effects on the parotid gland of mammals. Part 4: Biochemical and morphological changes after local irradiation.

A morphological and biochemical study was done on rat parotids to evaluate the modifications after 2400 rad in the parotid area only. As previously observed, whole-body irradiation with lower doses produced only slight effects on the gland. The enzymes peculiar to glandular function decreased significantly 3 days after irradiation, later they fluctuated on control values. Increase in alkaline phosphatase, LAP, and decrease in protein content was a constant result. Beta-glucuronidase only among lysosomal enzymes increased significantly at some intervals. Morphological alterations in the glandular sections of the sacrificed animals appeared modest and mostly consisted of progressive fibrosis.